New Drug Dangers

Parents: Did you know that more than half of American teens and pre-teens have tried or are planning to try illegal drugs? If you think that statistic can’t possibly include your child, think again. You won’t believe what kids are doing with the latest drugs – some of which you’ve probably never even heard of. And chances are, even if you haven’t heard of them, your kids most likely have.

Vodka Soaked Tampons

Alcohol enters the bloodstream faster through mainlining, which is what happens when the alcohol is absorbed directly in the vagina or anus. “It’s just like injecting it,” Dr. Ordon comments. “The effects are instantaneous and the potential consequences are devastating.” Dr. Lisa adds that vodka soaked tampons will destroy the vagina’s delicate balance and cause bacterial and yeast infections, as well as crack and burn the vaginal tissue.

Anal Beer Bongs

When consumed orally, alcohol goes through the stomach, passes into the bloodstream and is filtered through the liver, which is the body’s natural detoxification system. When that system is bypassed, the alcohol is absorbed directly into the body and can have dire and deadly consequences.

Cheese Heroin and Strawberry Quick Meth

In an attempt to make narcotics more appealing to children, drug dealers have begun to “sweeten” their products with fruity flavors. Cheese heroin, for example, is a mixture of heroin and Tylenol PM, and Strawberry Quick is the street name for methamphetamine mixed with strawberry flavoring that minimizes the acidic taste of the drug.

“We have no clue what the long-term affects are for mixing medications like this,” Dr. Ordon explains. “One thing is bad enough, but when you mix many medications -- we’ve talked about this before -- it’s called polypharmacy - anything can happen.”

A Grave Mistake

Heroin is a morphine-type substance that gives the user euphoric sensations, but it’s also a sedative, which will slow and even stop breathing. “And if you add in even more sedatives to it, that’s why all these kids are dying!” Travis exclaims. “It’s much easier to overdose on these things,” Dr. Ordon warns.

Dr. Lisa adds that young girls are at additional risk for date rape, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy because they’re not cognizant of their surroundings and circumstances when they’re high.

Eating Away the Organs

Dr. Ordon remarks that even if kids don’t overdose, the drugs can still eat away their organs. “It eats away your liver, your kidneys and potentially your brain. I’m sure these kids don’t want to think about being in pain, on dialysis, on a liver transplant list … but that’s exactly what’s ahead for them.”

Ups and Downs

Dr. Jim explains that stimulants, or uppers, increase the heart rate and adrenal systems and depressants, or downers, decrease the heart rate and reduce the body’s breathing reflex. Taking too much of one or the other, or even mixing them together, can cause stroke, brain damage, organ damage, permanent changes to the brain and body or even death.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing problem among teens. They pilfer them from family members and friends, procure them on the Internet and trade them at school.

RJ, 16, and Ryan, 15, are abusing an astonishing array of drugs. They take Oxycontin, acid, cocaine, mushrooms, cough medicine, Vicodin, Xanax, marijuana and alcohol. Ryan, 15, stole over 400 Vicodin from his grandmother. The teens’ parents are in a state of shock and are desperately searching for a solution to their sons’ addictions.

“I had no clue Ryan was abusing drugs,” his mother says, “I didn’t want to believe that my child had a problem.”

Coming Clean

Although the boys say they’re clean, Dr. Jim asks them to take a drug test backstage and RJ’s came back positive. The pediatrician tears up and says, “I’m glad you guys are here. I really hope that you’ll do what it’s going to take to get out of this.”

“You’ve got to find something else in your life to get you high,” Dr. Ordon asserts, “Something positive, something good.” In an emotional moment, the boys agree to treatment.

Salvia

Salvia is a hallucinogenic herb similar to LSD and is legal in 38 states. It can be bought online or at virtually any smoke shop. To demonstrate the devastating effects the drug has on the brain, Dr. Michael Yang, L.Ac., inhales the substance while hooked up to diagnostic equipment. Psychologist and brain-mapping specialist Dr. Michael Linden is joined by clinical psychologist and psychedelic drug expert David Stuckey, and together they analyze Dr. Yang’s brain wave reactions.

The needle on the EEG machine jumps frantically and indicates a dramatic shift in Dr. Yang’s state of consciousness. Dr. Stuckey explains that the radical changes in the brain’s electrical activity can be likened to “going from a DC output to an analog output” and are unique to salvia.

“We don’t even know the long-term effects of salvia, not to mention that it has a very different pattern than other hallucinogenic drugs,” Dr. Stuckey cautions.

Dr. Yang tries to describe his experience, “I have to tell you, it’s amazing to see something take you so quickly out of yourself - out of your norm - and then deposit you back. I tell you, I wouldn’t pay for this.”

The High Cost of Getting High

Jon and Saul, both 17-years-old, are pals who have used salvia, crack, heroin, ecstasy, acid, meth, alcohol and marijuana for the last five years. Saul shrugs and says, “It’s not like it’s going to be a forever thing.”

“No, but the consequences can and will be a forever thing,” Dr. Travis counters. To prove his point, he reveals the results of diagnostic tests The Doctors conducted on the boys prior to the show. Dr. Jim tells Jon that his liver is damaged and his blood won’t clot as well. He adds, “If this goes on long enough, you’ll need a liver transplant, and they’re probably not going to give you one because of all the drugs you’ve been doing. Not to mention that you’re at risk for bleeding in your brain as well … and there’s no way to stop that.”

Cary Quashen, founder of Action Family Counseling, says that a common adage is that people have to hit bottom before they can get help. “I don’t believe that we should ever wait for a child to hit bottom. I’ve buried too many children that were waiting to hit bottom.” He cautions that drugs are dramatically stronger than they ever were. He exerts, “We’re losing our children to this.” He offers to take the boys in to his clinic and help them in any way he can and the boys agree.

Dr. Travis implores, “I really do hope this show opened a lot of eyes about the dangers of drugs and will make you sit down and have an honest conversation with your children about drugs. It could save their life.”